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Ohio State defensive commits back in action, more senior season debuts underway

On3 imageby:Matt Parker•08/25/23•

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Payton Pierce
2024 linebacker Payton Pierce (via Ohio State)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is still another week away from its season opener at Indiana in a Big Ten East Division clash. But its commits are all the way back and under the Friday night lights.

Only three of the Buckeyes’ defensive commits were in action last weekend and they were all in-state pledges. Garrett Stover, Bryce West and Aaron Scott Jr. already have their season debuts under their belts. West and Scott won their games, while Stover lost his by two.

This week every single defensive commit is back in action and with the addition of Eddrick Houston, there is now a new commit to follow this fall.

Lettermen Row looks at the entire weekend slate for the Buckeyes’ defensive commits and we’ll start first in the trenches.

ICYMI: How Ohio State commits performed in season openers

Defensive Line

  • The Buckeyes’ first defensive lineman committed to the 2024 class makes his senior season debut on Friday. Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin Scott opens up the season at home against Chicago (Ill) St. Patrick.
  • And the Buckeyes’ newest defensive commit returns to the Friday night lights after a major win in week one. Five-star Buford (Ga) defensive lineman Eddrick Houston hits the road against Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek.

Linebacker

  • As mentioned, four-star Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut linebacker Garrett Stover did not have the ideal start to his senior season in a 21-19 loss last weekend. But that’s nothing a little home cooking can’t fix. He has his home opener against Upper Arlington (Ohio) on Friday night. Lettermen Row will be on site for the action.
  • The Buckeyes’ other future linebacker makes his senior season debut Friday. Four-star Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy linebacker Payton Pierce plays at home against College Station (Texas) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Cornerback

  • Four-star Springfield (Ohio) cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. has a big test this weekend in a quasi-neutral site game. Scott and the Wildcats play against Fort Washington (Md) DeMatha Catholic on Saturday in Ironton, Ohio.
  • Bryce West, the four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville star, heads down to the Columbus suburbs this Friday. He will play against Powell (Ohio) Olentangy Liberty for the second straight year.
  • And last but not least, making his senior season debut out in the desert is Miles Lockhart. The four-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback hits the road for a non-conference game against Mesa (Ariz) Westwood.

Safety

  • The final Ohio State defensive commit — so far — is currently overseas for his senior season opener. Four-star West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep safety Jaylen McClain is in Dublin, Ireland, for his senior season debut against Chattanooga (Tenn) Baylor School.

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